Our guide to great days out in Kent for Father’s Day 2023

by Sam Lawrie

slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

Dads are notoriously hard to buy for and, with Father’s Day right around the corner, many of us are still scratching our heads trying to think of the perfect present.

Whether your dad’s a footie fan, car enthusiast or cheese lover, we’ve got some great days out that will make this Father’s Day one to remember.

Feed farmyard animals with Dad this Father's Day. Picture: Facebook/Frampton Farm

Frampton Farm, near Dover

This Kentish farm is offering a special experience for animal-loving dads this Father’s Day. The animal encounters are a great family day out for all ages, guided by the farmers who will show you around and take you along for their morning or afternoon routines.

You will help check the animals for any injuries, assist with any feeds and learn all about your new farmyard friends, including alpacas, pygmy goats, chickens, ducks, mini pigs and sheep.

Details: Sunday, June 18 at Frampton Farm between Dover and Folkestone. Tickets start from £15. Book online here.

Cars on the Castle will welcome a variety of vehicles to the grounds for two days. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

Hever Castle, Edenbridge

Cars on the Castle returns to this historic site, with a huge variety of vintage vehicles and rare motors lined up on the lawn. Visitors can admire magnificent Jaguar, MG, Porsche, Alfa Romeo and Mini cars, take a ride in an Austin J40 pedal car and pick up some unique memorabilia.

Automobile historian Graham Pilgrim will also be there selling literature, brochures and catalogues that date back to the early 1900s and you can find artwork from motor sport artist David Johnson. For the rest of the family, there’s the Tudor playground, natural play area and water maze, as well as food and drink stalls.

Details: Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge. Car show included in standard entry ticket. Book online here.

Tuck into a Father's Day roast dinner at Port Lympne Safari Park. Picture: Aspinall Foundation

Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Safari Park

This Father’s Day, Kent’s two largest animal parks will be celebrating the occasion with exclusive offers. Howletts, which can be found just outside of Canterbury, is giving dads the chance to explore 90 acres of parkland and meet gorillas, tigers and monkeys for free.

Alternatively, at Port Lympne, near Hythe, you can treat your dad to a Sunday roast and complimentary beer from the Romney Marsh Brewery in the Garden Room restaurant, which has been visited in the past by Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. Whether you want to fill up before setting off on a safari adventure or relax after strolling through the animal reserve, this delicious meal is the perfect afternoon break.

Details: Sunday, June 18 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne and Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe. Sunday roast at Port Lympne starts from £48 per person. Book online here.

Former West Ham players will be spending a night at the Orchard Theatre

Orchard Theatre, Dartford

Hammers fans will want to book a ticket to Dartford’s Orchard Theatre this Father’s Day weekend. Legendary players from West Ham’s history, including FA Cup winner Sir Trevor Brooking, defender and pundit Tony Gale and Scottish striker Frank McAvennie, will be talking about their time on the pitch.

From changing room anecdotes to career-defining goals, the three players will be sharing stories with the audience and answering burning questions. There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available for supporters to meet the players before the show.

Details: Saturday, June 17 at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford. Tickets start from £40. Book online here.

Enjoy local cheeses while taking in the country views aboard an authentic steam train. Picture: Spa Valley Railway

Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells

After its debut departure in April, the Cheese Train returns for a Father’s Day journey through the Kentish countryside. The train will travel between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells West stations, serving up four delicious cheeses along the way.

The selection, taken from the Cheese Shop in Tunbridge Wells, includes a cheddar-style Winterdale Shaw from Wrotham, a firm Kentish Blue from Staplehurst, and a creamy Sussex Brie and nutty Mayfield from East Sussex. There will also be crackers, chutney and a complimentary drink.

Details: Sunday, June 18 departing from Eridge station in Tunbridge Wells. Tickets cost £35. Book online here.

Raise a glass this Father’s Day. Picture: Woodchurch Wine

Woodchurch Wine, near Ashford

If your dad is an aspiring wine aficionado, this beautiful vineyard tour could be a delightful way to spend the day together. Visitors will be led through Woodchurch Wine’s vineyards by Graham Barbour, the founder and owner, who will share the stories behind his much-loved tipples.

There will also be a chance to taste four different Woodchurch wines, with an explanation of the wine making process, and your choice of cheese, charcuterie or Mediterranean boards to tuck into before you leave.

Details: Sunday, June 18 at Woodchurch Wine in Woodchurch, near Ashford. Tickets cost £30. Book online.